Tiger Roll's Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase victory was the third at The Festival for the Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old, but a first for jockey Keith Donoghue.

Always towards the head of affairs, the eight-year-old was settled just behind the pacesetting Beeves and his only real moment of danger was when another stable companion, Bless The Wings, fell early on and nearly brought him down.

His jockey Keith Donoghue took time out of the saddle not too long ago with weight problems, but could always count on the support of Elliott and has been rewarded with a first Festival winner.

Sent off at 7-1,Tiger Roll took up the running before entering the racecourse proper and while French challenger Urgent De Gregaine threw down a good challenge, he could only close to within two lengths. The Last Samuri did his Grand National chances no harm by finishing third.

Donoghue said: "That was brilliant. He jumped brilliant the whole way and travelled well.

"I thought he would win, my only worry was the ground.

"He comes alive round here - he loves it.

"If it wasn't for Gordon I wouldn't be standing here as I struggle with my weight."

O'Leary said: "This is a family pet now. He loved it.

"He hates everywhere else, but he loves Cheltenham. I wish I had a few more like him.

"He's a little rat of a thing, but he's the heart of a lion."

Elliott said: "He is a good horse and he has been very lucky for us. To win three races at Cheltenham is brilliant. He has been a great servant so I am absolutely thrilled and delighted. I'm delighted for Keith Donoghue as he had to lose 7lb to ride the horse. Today was his day.

"He is in the National so we will see and I will talk to Eddie and Michael (O'Leary). It's another winner here and that will keep them going for a while. It would be the Irish National, if any, as that is more prize money.

"He will definitely be back here next year as he is still a young horse. I don't know what it is about here, but it is brilliant. It is just different horses for courses."

Of Cause of Causes, he said: "Jamie (Codd) said he was flat out. I was worried about the ground and it never happened today. He is a bit sore so we will see how is."

The Truth Or Dare 10-year-old, Urgent De Gregaine, justified the boat ride over from France when he came home two lengths adrift of the winner.

Urgent De Gregaine has proved himself a master of the unusual race as he was second in this seasons Velka Pardubicka and having run in cross-country races in his native land.

Felix de Giles, who rode the 12/1 chance said: "He gave me a lovely spin round and jumped very well.

"We managed to get the rail nearly everywhere but we were just beaten by a better horse."

Kim Bailey, who trains locally, was pleased with his Randox Health Grand National hope, The Last Samuri, who was sent off the 11/4 favourite for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, and finished third.

Bailey said: "I am delighted - it was always going to be a National prep.

"It is a bit different to carrying top-weight in a handicap."

The Last Samuri didn't come into the winner's enclosure and Bailey explained: "The horse always gets very tired afterwards. He is a horse that is marked out by the vets in all of his races.